Our Story
About Hokkaido Inaka School.
Our second campus, Hokkaido Inaka School, is located in Nakafurano Town, Hokkaido.
This decision was not made simply because it is “more rural” or more scenic. The reason is deeper and more meaningful.
In this town, we found something important:
A number of closed or underused school buildings
A beautiful natural environment surrounded by mountains and lavender fields
A local community actively working toward revitalization
A strong need for cultural and educational exchange opportunities
Many of the school buildings in the area are no longer in use. At the same time, the facilities themselves are still in excellent condition — too valuable to be left unused.
We felt strongly that we could contribute.
Instead of letting these spaces disappear, we decided to bring them back to life as places of learning, exchange, and connection.
In this way, the school itself becomes part of the regional revitalization effort.
Why Hokkaido?
Learning Japanese Beyond the Classroom
At Hokkaido Inaka School, our philosophy goes far beyond traditional Japanese language education. We believe that true language learning does not only happen in textbooks, apps, or classrooms. Real Japanese is something that lives in everyday interactions, in human connection, and in the shared experiences between people.
For us, language is not just knowledge to be studied — it is something to be lived.
That is why one of our most essential values is deep and meaningful connection with the local community.
A central pillar of our school is active exchange with local communities and creating a system where both learners and local residents benefit from the experience.
We do not see language education as something that happens in isolation. Instead, we design every program to include:
Interaction with local residents
Cultural and community-based activities
Visits to local schools (elementary, junior high, and high schools)
Participation in regional events and daily life
Opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange
Our goal is not only to teach Japanese learners, but also to create mutual value for the local community. We aim to ensure that our presence contributes positively to the region — socially, culturally, and economically.
This is not a one-sided educational program. It is a co-existing learning ecosystem.
Our Core Value: Living Together with the Community
From Akita Inaka School to Hokkaido Inaka School
Hokkaido Inaka School was born from the foundation of our original school, Akita Inaka School.
Akita Inaka School began in rural Akita with a similar vision:
to connect international learners with local communities and create immersive, real-life Japanese learning experiences.
Over time, we saw something powerful happen.
Students were not only improving their Japanese — they were:
Forming real relationships with local people
Experiencing daily life in rural Japan
Gaining new perspectives on life and culture
Describing their experience as “life-changing”
Many of our seasonal program students told us that their time in Akita changed how they saw the world and their own lives.
This is the kind of experience we want to continue expanding.
What Makes the Experience Different
Hokkaido Inaka School is not a typical language school.
Students do not only study Japanese grammar or vocabulary. They experience Japanese life directly through:
Real conversations with local people
Cultural exchange in everyday settings
Visits to schools and community organizations
Participation in local life in a rural Japanese town
Shared activities that cannot be recreated in a classroom
We believe that these experiences create a type of learning that no app or textbook can offer.
A Life-Changing Experience in Japan
Our goal is not only language improvement, but also to offer an experience that stays with students long after they return home. A memory that becomes part of their life story.
Our Team
Tomomi Orito
Head Teacher / Academic Manager
Misato Homma
Dominik Kosik
School Director / Co-FounderFounder / PrincipalCampus
